Relocating to a New Community

As you prepare for life after graduation or a summer internship, you may have considered relocating to another city or region of the country.  After all, what could be more exciting than a fresh start in New York or Seattle?  While relocating can be a rewarding experience, it can be challenging.  Launching a job search from hundreds of miles away requires a bit more effort, but when you are finally settled in to your new place, it can be worth it! To ease your search, keep the following tips in mind:

Do Your Research on the City

Sure, San Francisco sounds like an exciting city, but did you know a studio apartment would cost you upwards of $1,200/month or more?  Before you make any decisions, do some research on the city you plan to call home. What is the cost of living?  What cultural and entertainment type options are available?  Is there a professional sports team?  Is traffic a hassle?  Will you enjoy the climate?  Is public transportation available?  While some of these questions won’t be as important if you are only planning to spend a summer, it’s still a good idea to have done your homework.  Check the Internet or travel section of the local bookstore or library.  There are many Web sites that can help you find out all the details of any city.  Some Web sites to check are: www.bestplaces.net and www.craigslist.org.  If you know you want to get out of Minnesota, but aren’t sure where, check out www.findyourspot.com.  Take a short quiz, and Spot will give you a list of cities you may like as well as essential information.

Research the Job Market

Different parts of the country are known for different types of industry and/or employers.  Having an idea of the employment scene will not only help you find a job or internship, but may also help you decide if this city is a good fit for you.  Contact the local Chamber of Commerce.  Check the library for newspapers from other cities or phone books to get a feel for what is out there.  You may want to subscribe to the Sunday edition of the local newspaper to peruse the want ads and the Business section.  If there is a college or university in the area, check on their Career Services website to see what information you can find.  You can also find books in the Career Resource Centers or a local bookstore (in the employment section) that will give you information on the job market and opportunities in other cities.

Choose the Companies You Want to Work For

Now that you know what is out there, make a list of the companies that sound most interesting to you and the key people you will need to contact.  Do extra research on these particular organizations and contact them.  Don’t rely on just sending a cover letter and resume to these people.  You will need to follow-up with a phone call so you are more than just a piece of paper.  Ideally, you will want to have a trip planned to your city of choice so you can set up face-to-face meetings with your target companies.  This brings us to our next piece of advice…

Have a Relocating Plan

Once you know where you want to go, you’ll need a plan to get there.  Packing up all your worldly possessions and hitting the road may work for a very small number of people, but it’s not the best way to make a major life change.  Your plan should include a timeline for your move, a relocation budget, and hopefully, some trips to the city before you start to call it home.  Being able to make one or two trips can make a big difference in the success of your search.  Try to make two trips...one to conduct informational interviews, scout out the location and housing opportunities, and to get a feel for the city.  Your second visit will consist of actual interviews and finalizing any details.  Even if you are only moving for a summer internship, being able to visit the city before hand and meet with prospective employers will give you an edge over just being a voice on the telephone.

Network, Network, Network

This is a little trickier when you are trying to network from 1,000 miles away, but it can still be done.  How to start?  Check out the CANE files in the Career Resource Centers.  Grab the file sorted by ZIP CODE and see which Bennies and Johnnies have relocated to your city of choice.  Even if they do not work in the field you are interested in, they may know someone who does.  And that is what networking is all about!  In addition, talk to everyone you know, friends, parents, relatives, faculty, staff members, friends of friends, friends of parents...the list is endless.  Every time you talk to someone, mention your desire to move to Fairbanks, Alaska or Miami, Fla.  You’d be surprised at the connections you may find!